File:Architect Sketch Chunuk Bair NZ Memorial (20349856792).jpg

The Battle for Chunuk Bair was New Zealand’s most significant action in the Gallipoli Campaign. The battle, which took place from 6-10 August 1915, was part of the August Offensive, in which the Allies attempted to seize the Sari Bair heights from Turkish forces.

Multiple attacks were launched from the Anzac sector. The Australian 1st Infantry Division assaulted the ridge at Lone Pine, experiencing rare Allied success in the campaign. Hill 971 was attacked by the Australian 4th Infantry Brigade and an Indian brigade, but the attack stalled in the rugged terrain. Subsequent attempts to continue the assault were defeated with heavy casualties. At Chunuk Bair the Wellington Battalion, under the leadership of Lieutenant-Colonel William Malone, captured Chunuk Bair early on 8 August, but they and other New Zealand units suffered extensive losses defending it including the loss of Malone. The New Zealanders spent two days capturing the peak, and two days defending it in the face of fanatical Turkish counter-attacks. Chunuk Bair was lost two days later when the New Zealanders were relieved by British forces who were subsequently driven off the peak by a further Turkish counter-attack.

Meanwhile, the attack by the Australian 3rd Light Horse Brigade on the Nek became a disaster. The attack was scheduled to occur on the 8 August in conjunction with an expected supporting attack by New Zealanders after they had captured Chunuk Bair. But the attack was ordered to proceed even though the New Zealanders were still battling for Chunuk Bair. The attack on the Nek, immortalized by the film Gallipoli, ended with heavy casualties in which 375 of the 600 attackers became casualties. Turkish counter-attacks re-captured most of the Allied gains of the August offensive. At Suvla, the British landings were met with resistance which delayed the British advance out from the beach-head until the main Turkish counter-attack could be launched. The British forces were driven back to the beach.

Photos of memorial unveiling taken on 12 May 1925 (Archives Ref: ACGO 8333, IA1 32/3/136, R12333986).